Welcome to Stalybridge Old Band.

We're the oldest brass band in the world!

 

Founded in 1809, the band has a long tradition in the local area and beyond. We've always been based in Stalybridge, near Manchester, England and we now live above Judges Bar on Corporation Street right in the heart of the town.

There's an extensive music library including original manuscript copies of some pieces. This means we can provide a wide variety of concert programmes to suit all types of venue and audience, and a band ranging from a small ensemble to a full 26 piece formation. If you want more details, contact us.  See the Contacts Page for where to find us.

Happy New Year and Welcome to 2012!

2012

We're already well into planning for 2012. 

  • In February we're playing in the North West Area contest at The Winter Gardens in Blackpool.

  • March sees us in Champagnole, France taking part in their Spring Carnival, alongside members of the Gottmaddingen Band from Germany.

  • In April we're doing a short season at Hyde Festival Theatre, in a production of "Brassed Off".

  • In June we'll be welcoming our friends from the 
    C J Kickham Band, Tipperary for the Whit Friday Contest bonanza.
Check our Future Events page for more details. But don't forget to look at our Recent History too.

 

It's A Long Way To Tipperary 
Centenary Celebrations

This famous song, written by Jack Judge, was first performed in Stalybridge 100 years ago, in January 1912.  We were there to help celebrate.



BRASS ACTS: Paul Greenwood and Martin Lee of Stalybridge Old Band at the Jack Judge memorial in the town

Jack Judge was born in Oldbury, near West Bromwich in the Midlands.  If you want to know more about him, click here to visit the website.  There's a contemporary recording of "It's A Long Way To Tipperary" there too.  Click here to listen to the song in all its glory.

We joined the Celebrations! 

The band played at two of the song's centenary celebrations:

Stalybridge Celtic's Game on Saturday 28 January 
Celtic were at home to Colwyn Bay.  We were there, playing "It's A Long Way To Tipperary". Unfortunately our music didn't help Celtic. They went down 4 - 0 to the visitors from Wales.

Stalybridge Market Hall on Tuesday 31 January
The official celebrations took place at The Market Hall on Trinity Street in Stalybridge. We were there together with local school children, councillors, relatives of Jack Judge and lots of local Tamesiders. So were the press and TV. Check out these links:

Manchester Evening News:   click here

BBC Look North:                 click here

Granada Reports:               coming later

Photo Gallery:                    click here